Abstract
Crucial in every transition in the life span is the role of parents. Many young adults face a challenging journey during the post pandemic era which affected their mental health. This study aims to investigate the lived experiences of parents of Filipino young adults with mental health conditions. Criteria in choosing the participants are parents with young adults diagnosed with a mental condition and residing in Cavite, Philippines. Seven parents met the criteria and voluntarily agreed to become the participants of the study. The researchers employed interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to delve deeply into the experiences of parents. Findings revealed the group experiential themes (GETS) derived from the narratives – parental distress, caregiving hardship, compassion and empathy, restorative practices, and holistic support system. A framework “masked heart” concludes the journey as it represents parents who may experience hardship but with compassion and empathy, wholeheartedly supported the young adults.
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